Carl Valentin Wunderle (April 13, 1866 - February 16, 1944) was a German-American musician and composer. He was a child prodigy in music, and spent his entire adult life playing violin and viola in major U.S. orchestras in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

, and

Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state lin ...

, while at the same time maintaining a separate concertizing career. He played numerous instruments including the

viola d'amore The viola d'amore (; Italian for "viol of love") is a 7- or 6- stringed musical instrument with sympathetic strings used chiefly in the baroque period. It is played under the chin in the same manner as the violin. Structure and sound The vio ...

, for which he wrote several compositions.

Early life in Germany

Carl Valentin Wunderle was born on 13 April 1866 in Melleck, Germany, a small village in the mountains just south of

Munich Munich ( ; german: München ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Ha ...

on the Austrian border. He lived in

for at least part of his youth. Little is known about his parents, but it is clear that they had the means, the know-how, and the drive to promote their three musically talented children as “child wonders.” Beginning in early 1882 when Carl was 15 years old, he and his brother Constantine, age 14, and his sister Minna, age 13, formed the “Wunderkind” Trio. They spent six years performing together. Carl played the violin, and also accompanied his siblings on the piano when they sang duets. Constantine also played the zither, and Minna the guitar. All three children gave recitations. The Wunderkind trio toured throughout Europe, performing in Germany, Austria, Russia, Spain and England before kings, countesses, and nobles. Carl was also a student at the

Hochschule für Musik und Theater München The University of Music and Performing Arts Munich (german: Hochschule für Musik und Theater München), also known as the Munich Conservatory, is a performing arts conservatory in Munich, Germany. The main building it currently occupies is ...

in Munich, Germany from 1880 to 1886. While there he studied and that he studied violin under a man named Brückner (not Anton Bruckner) and eventually also counterpoint under

Josef Rheinberger Josef Gabriel Rheinberger (17 March 1839 – 25 November 1901) was a Liechtensteiner organist and composer, residing in Bavaria for most of his life. Life Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, whose father was the treasurer for Aloys II, Prince of Liec ...

. His fellow students included the likes of

Richard Strauss Richard Georg Strauss (; 11 June 1864 – 8 September 1949) was a German composer, conductor, pianist, and violinist. Considered a leading composer of the late Romantic music, Romantic and early Modernism (music), modern eras, he has been descr ...

and

Horatio Parker Horatio William Parker (September 15, 1863 – December 18, 1919) was an American composer, organist and teacher. He was a central figure in musical life in New Haven, Connecticut in the late 19th century, and is best remembered as the undergradu ...

. In 1888, when Carl was 21 years old, the Wunderkind trio disbanded, and he continued his professional career in a number of European orchestras. In 1888 he played with the Exposition Orchestra in

. In 1889 he was concert master of the Kurhaus Orchestra in

Bad Kissingen Bad Kissingen is a German spa town in the Bavarian region of Lower Franconia and seat of the district Bad Kissingen. Situated to the south of the Rhön Mountains on the Franconian Saale river, it is one of the health resorts, which bec ...

. In 1890 he played with the Meininger Court Orchestra in

Meiningen Meiningen () is a town in the southern part of the state of Thuringia, Germany. It is located in the region of Franconia and has a population of around 25,000 (2021).

. In 1891 he was at the Hochschule in Berlin where he studied under Joseph Joachim, and he spent the summer of that year as the concert master of the Kurhaus Orchestra in

Riga Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the B ...

, Russia (now Latvia). In 1892 he was with the Exposition Orchestra in

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

and later with the

Hans von Bülow Freiherr Hans Guido von Bülow (8 January 1830 – 12 February 1894) was a German conductor, virtuoso pianist, and composer of the Romantic era. As one of the most distinguished conductors of the 19th century, his activity was critical for est ...

Orchestra in

Hamburg Hamburg (, ; nds, label=Hamburg German, Low Saxon, Hamborg ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (german: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg; nds, label=Low Saxon, Friee un Hansestadt Hamborg),. is the List of cities in Germany by popul ...

Symphony career in the United States

Carl Wunderle emigrated to America on 15 April 1893 to play in an orchestra at the

World’s Columbian Exposition The World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) was a world's fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. The centerpiece of the Fair, hel ...

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

, which opened its doors two weeks after his arrival. He enjoyed telling people that he was recruited for this by

Florenz Ziegfeld Florenz Edward Ziegfeld Jr. (; March 21, 1867 – July 22, 1932) was an American Broadway impresario, notable for his series of theatrical revues, the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' (1907–1931), inspired by the '' Folies Bergère'' of Paris. He also ...

, who later went on to fame as the producer of the Ziegfeld follies. This means he must have started at the Exposition by playing for Ziegfeld’s father, Dr. Florenz Ziegfeld, Senior. Dr. Ziegfeld was the founder and president of the

Chicago Musical College Chicago Musical College is a division of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. History Founding Dr. Florenz Ziegfeld Sr (1841–1923), founded the college in 1867 as the Chicago Academy of Music. The institution h ...

, and had opened a night club at the Fair called the Trocadero, where he wanted to entertain people with classical music. Ziegfeld, Sr. had sent his son to Europe in the fall of 1892 to recruit talent for this undertaking. The official orchestra at the

was under the direction of Theodore Thomas, who was also the music director of the

Chicago Symphony Orchestra The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891. The ensemble makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenu ...

. It seems likely that Wunderle ended up playing in Thomas’s Exposition orchestra, as well, because he became a member of the

later that same year. Carl Wunderle had married a fellow German, Margaretha Winzer, by the time he joined the

in 1893. She was a professional harpist, who also played in the Exposition orchestra in 1893, and also became a member of the

that same year. Wunderle played in the

until the death of its director, Theodore Thomas, in January 1905. At that time Carl and Margaretha and their new baby moved to

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsyl ...

, where Carl, and eventually also Margaretha joined the Pittsburgh Orchestra under the direction of Emil Paur. Within two years, Carl and Margaretha were divorced. In 1907, Carl moved back to

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

and rejoined the

under the direction of Thomas’s successor,

Frederick Stock Frederick Stock (born Friedrich August Stock; November 11, 1872 – October 20, 1942) was a German conductor and composer, most famous for his 37-year tenure as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Early life and education Born ...

. Carl had played viola and percussion during his first stint with the

. When he came back, he played 1st violin. Carl remarried, this time for life, in March 1907. He and his second wife, Elizabeth, went on to have three children. In 1910, Carl and his family moved to

Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state lin ...

, where he joined the

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its primary concert venue is Music Hall. In addition to its symphony concerts, the orchestra gives pops concerts as the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. The Cinc ...

, playing under

Leopold Stokowski Leopold Anthony Stokowski (18 April 1882 – 13 September 1977) was a British conductor. One of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th century, he is best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra and his appearan ...

. Carl remained with the Cincinnati Orchestra for 32 years until his retirement in 1941. Carl died on 16 February 1944.

Other musical activities

In addition to his symphony work, Carl Wunderle built a reputation for himself as a performer, musical educator, and composer. He performed professionally in various ensembles including the Wunderle String Trio, where he played violin. He performed with this and other ensembles on the

Chautauqua Chautauqua ( ) was an adult education and social movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua bro ...

circuit in the 1910s. Carl was also well known for promoting early music. He gave concerts and lecture recitals on such instruments as the

, the

viola pomposa __NOTOC__ The viola pomposa (also known as the violino pomposo) is a five-stringed instrument developed around 1725. There are no exact dimensions applicable to all instruments used under this name, although in general the pomposa is slightly wid ...

, and the ravanastron, and would often dress in period costumes for these occasions. He claimed to have mastered 19 different musical instruments during his lifetime.

Compositions

Published works by Carl Wunderle include * ''American Fantasia für die Harfe''. Chicago: Lyon & Healy, 1903. Repository: Music and Dance Library, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA. Digital copy available from Brigham Young University. * ''Swedish Fantasy'' for viola d'amore. Edited by Dr. Gordon Childs, and published as a Viola d'amore Society of America Edition. * ''Homage à Spohr'' for viola d'amore. Edited by Dr. Gordon Childs, and published as a Viola d'amore Society of America Edition. Manuscript works by Carl Wunderle include Compositions and arrangements for the

which were donoted by John and Pearl Poellet to the ew York Public Library for the Performing Artsat Lincoln Center and are housed with the Walter Voigtlander Collection there. The works of Carl Wunderle in this collection include: Manuscript Compositions * ''Fantasie Suedoise'' (Swedish Fantasy) for Viola d'amore and Piano * ''American Fantasie'' for Viola d'amore and Piano * ''Concertino'' Op. 47, “Homage a Spohr” for Viola d'amore and Harpsichord Manuscript Arrangements * ''Concerto'' for Viola d'amore and Lute - Vivaldi (Score and Parts. Arr. 1: Violin I & II, Bass, Viola d'amore, Lute part transcribed for Viola. Arr. 2: Largo Movement for Viola d'amore, Flute, 3 Violins, Violincello, Cembalo) * ''Baroque Dances'' derived from Violin, Cello and Keyboard Suites - Bach (Gavotte, Siciliano, Praeludio, Sarabande I, Sarabande II) * ''Cavatina “Se pel rigor”'' from ''La Juive'' for Viola d'amore and Piano - F. E. Halevy * ''Sonata da Camera'' Op. 6 No. 3 for Viola d'amore and Cembalo - Locatelli (Andante, Minuetto con Altro, Allegro) * ''Concerto'' for Viola da Gamba & Continuo arr. Viola d'amore and Piano - G. Tartini (Poco largo, Allegro moderato, Grave, Finale allegro) * ''Valse'' for Viola d'amore and Piano - Brahms * ''Theme & Variations'' for Viola d'amore and Piano - P. Locatelli * ''“Celeste Cecile,” Meditation Religioso'' for Viola d'amore and Harp - C. Miris * ''2nd Tarantella, “La Belle Napolitaine”'' for Viola d'amore & Piano - G. Papini (piano part missing) * ''Confidence'' for solo Viola d'amore - H. Engelmann * ''Ballet No 52'' from ''Orpheus'' for Viola d'amore & Cembalo - C. W. Gluck * ''Chaconne'' from ''Orpheus'' for Viola d'amore, Flute or Violin - C. W. Gluck (Viola da Gamba or Violincello, Cembalo)

References

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Washington D.C.; Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925; ARC Identifier 583830 / MLR Number A1 534; NARA Series: M1490; Roll #1894. Digital image available on www.Ancestry.com. Carter, Randolph. ''The World of Flo Ziegfeld''. London: Paul Elek, 1974. pp. 9-11. "Jahresberichte 1880/81, 1881/82, 1882/83, 1883/84, 1885/86." Hochschule für Musik und Theater München. Higham, Charles. ''Ziegfeld''. Chicago: Henry Regner Company, 1972. pp. 11-12. Golden, James T., Jr. “Played for Ziegfeld; Rare Pieces Owned By Carl Wunderle” in ''Cincinnati Enquirer'', 14 Oct 1936. Repository: Cincinnati Historical Society Library, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

“Leaves Echo Notes, As Venerable Symphony Violist Dies in Clifton After Giving 50 Years To His Art” Obituary of Carl Wunderle, ''Cincinnati Enquirer'', 7 Feb 1944 Repository: Cincinnati Historical Society Library, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

Mazzola, Sandy R. “Bands and Orchestras at the World's Columbian Exposition” in ''American Music'', Vol. 4, No. 4 (Winter, 1986), pp. 407-424, University of Illinois Press Stable URL

''Mme. Lenska and The Culp String Quartet''. Concert program published by Chicago, IL, W.M. King Service, 1919. 4 p. : ill. Repository: University of Iowa Libraries, Special Collections Department, Iowa City, IA 52242-1420. Digital ID

. ''The Wunderle Trio''. Redpath Lyceum Bureau. Concert program published by Chicago, IL, Hollister Brothers Engravers and Printers, 1916 ic: probably 1906 6 p. : ill. Repository: University of Iowa Libraries, Special Collections Department, Iowa City, IA 52242-1420 . Digital ID

. “Wunderle, Carl.” Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rosenthal Archives, Archives Number: ART-I-1/33

“Jiskra, Margaret Wunderle.” Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rosenthal Archives, Archives Number: SC14-0

"Viola d'amore Society Music Editions". Viola d'Amore Society of America

''Walter Voigtlander collection of viola d'amore music, ca. 1890- ca. 1930''. New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498. Research Call Number: JOB O4-5. http://nypl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/18215490052907_walter_voigtlander_collection_of_viola_damore_music {{DEFAULTSORT:Wunderle, Carl Valentin American viola d'amore players American male composers American composers 1866 births American classical violinists Male classical violinists American male violinists University of Music and Performing Arts Munich alumni 1944 deaths Place of death missing Pupils of Josef Rheinberger German emigrants to the United States